A popular clothing store has confirmed plans to close one of its high street shops – blaming rents more suited to central London.

Bounce Vintage bosses are shutting their Canterbury branch despite enjoying “a thriving and loyal customer base” after being hit with tough trading conditions.

Rachel and Saul Kitchen’s rent in Mercery Lane costs a startling £3,000 per month, including VAT, akin to similar-sized premises in sought-after Zone One areas within the capital.

They say business rates of £600 per month and a monthly levy to the Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) of £55 also “make retail trading very difficult for any business - independent or chains - as is evident by the many empty units in Canterbury’s city centre”.

They added: “Thank you to all the regulars who have popped in to see us so far and say goodbye. It’s been really emotional speaking with you all.”

Currently, Bounce’s 780 sq ft Canterbury premises is advertised on property site Loopnet for £30,000 per year. Meanwhile, rent for a 700 sq ft retail space near London’s Kings Cross in Grays Inn Road appears for £29,500 per year.

Also, a 1,276 sq ft shop space in Whitecross Street near Old Street is listed for £22,500 per year.

Having sold retro clothes in Canterbury for five years, Rachel and Saul plan to shut at the end of the month to focus on building on the success of their flagship Folkestone operation at the bottom of the town’s Old High Street.

Speaking to KentOnline, they unveiled plans to also start selling their items from three huts on the town’s bustling harbour arm, with job opportunities for staff at the doomed city branch.

They said: “We are grateful to our many loyal customers in Canterbury, many of whom have become friends and we look forward to continuing to see them all at Bounce Folkestone.

“But now is the time to close the door on Canterbury for something new.”

The decision to shut the city store comes just 18 months after Bounce ditched its original base in St Peters Street for larger premises nearer the cathedral.

A farewell sale is now in place until the site closes, with most items being advertised as under £5 in order to clear the remaining stock.

After news of Bounce’s departure was announced, Deryn Howard wrote on social media: “Good luck and great to hear many new doors are opening. You’re just the best.”

Ruth Brown added: “Sending lots of love and luck. See you in Folkestone.”

Canterbury BID boss Lisa Carlson says she is “incredibly sad” to be losing Bounce from the city centre.

“Their welcoming colourful brand have brought joy to many visitors since their arrival in 2019,” she said.

“We agree that business rates are incredibly high and this is why we consistently lobby central government around this – especially as the majority of money remains at a national and county level rather than coming back to our city.”

Ms Carlson pointed out that the BID levy is ringfenced for the city at 1.6% of a property’s rateable value. This is an estimate by the Valuation Office Agency of how much it would cost to rent a property for a year.

She added: “The cost of doing business is high at the moment and that, combined with a cost-of-living crisis impacting customers, means that things are tough.

“This is why 100% of the BID levy goes directly into supporting businesses and driving footfall into the city centre.”

Bounce’s new huts on the harbour arm will open every weekend during the off-season and seven days a week during summer, with opening times pencilled in as 11am to 6pm.

Rachel and Saul first met in Canterbury and got married in the 90s, and where their love of vintage began.

News of Bounce leaving the city comes a week after KentOnline revealed upmarket retailer Oliver Bonas would be taking over the former Topshop store in Whitefriars from May.

It comes as works to revamp the building are carried out ahead of the move alongside Canterbury City Council – with the two set to share the space.

Two unnamed new retailers are also set to be given the keys to their new homes in Marlowe Arcade within weeks.